Greece Population
Greece population, 1990–2100
Medium projection with low/high uncertainty band
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Greece in context
Greece combines very low fertility with the emigration of young people spurred by its long economic crisis, a mix that has pushed the population into decline and rapid ageing. Rural areas and islands are losing residents to the cities and abroad. Reversing the brain drain is central to any demographic recovery.
The Greece demographic outlook
Greece is the world's 95th most populous country, home to about 9.9 million people in 2026. In Southern Europe, where it lies, that future is driven by fertility, longevity and the movement of people across its borders. It packs in roughly 76 people per square kilometre.
The peak is already behind Greece: its population maxed out at about 11.1 million near 2011 and is contracting. By 2050 the UN expects around 8.8 million people, and by 2100 about 6.3 million.
The median age is set to climb from about 46 today to roughly 52 by 2100, even as life expectancy improves from about 82 years. A rising median age means fewer working-age people supporting each retiree over time.
Fertility sits at about 1.34 births per woman, below the replacement level of roughly 2.1, so without migration the population would eventually shrink. Net inward migration adds to the population each year and partly offsets the low birth rate.
These figures follow the UN's medium variant, the most widely cited scenario. The low and high variants, driven mainly by differing fertility assumptions, fan out into a wide range by 2100, so treat each number as a central estimate rather than a precise forecast.
Migration & natural change
Net migration against natural change (births − deaths), 2026
Greece is a net destination for migration: roughly 14,649 more people arrive than leave each year. Deaths now outnumber births, subtracting about 57,576 people a year, so migration is what keeps the population from falling faster.
Who supports whom
Dependants (under 15 and 65+) per 100 working-age adults (15–64)
| Year | Youth | Old-age | Total | 65+ share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 21 | 38 | 59 | 24% |
| 2050 | 23 | 65 | 88 | 35% |
| 2100 | 21 | 68 | 89 | 36% |
A total ratio of 100 means as many dependants as working-age adults. Rising old-age figures signal an ageing population and growing pressure on pensions and healthcare.
Key milestones
Age structure
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Demographic indicators
| Population 2024 | 10.1 million |
| Population 2050 | 8.8 million |
| Population 2075 | 7.3 million |
| Population 2100 | 6.3 million |
| Median age 2050 | 49.9 years |
| Fertility rate 2050 | 1.41 |
| Life expectancy 2100 | 91.4 years |